Yes, I'm recycling for what I need at this point. It used to be done because I'm one of those annoying environmentalist fussing because you put a recyclable bottle into the garbage can or couldn't be bothered to get a reusable bottle in the first place. A few times a year I got money back on things I'd already spent money on. Well, now there is a new plan in action that should help me a great deal; provided it goes correctly.

I always take my plastics and cardboard to the city bins and the rest to the center down the street. Aluminum cans, other aluminum, brass, copper, and steel are all recyclable for cash. The rates vary with steel (scrap metal) being the lowest paying. Last haul there was $35 worth of scrap metal alone, when it was all added up the total was just over $50. There is more to haul off, it just has to be dug out from the various annoying places storms have thrown it to get the yard clean and earn a little bit in the process.

That $50 put gas in the truck and bought some household items that were much needed. The idea is that next time the recycling is taken, hopefully next month the rest of the things from the yard will be up and sorted. Then I start over. The money from the last trip could have been used to purchase one of my child's supplements and have money left over. That's something to think about. The fact that you can buy a few days worth of groceries with that is something to think about also.

I intend to keep recycling but instead of taking it off as it annoys me and starting over I will be holding onto it until there is enough to fill the back of a truck completely up. The idea is to start using it to do things like make repairs, pay my auto insurance and gifts for the girls. Maybe it'll work out. Occasionally replacing supplements to last a few months at a time would be nice. We'll see how it works out. ​